Wings of
Freedom
One day at our Bengaluru campus. Fly the simulator, learn from a serving airline captain, and watch the Freedom to Fly scholarships announced live.
- Date
- 15 August 2026
- Time
- 11:00 am - 3:30 pm IST
- Venue
- WindChasers HQ, Bangalore
From last year
Inside last year's cohort
Same campus, same team, a room full of women who came to find out whether flying is actually for them. Tap any of them to take a closer look.
Two ways to take part
Women are about 5% of India's commercial pilots. For one day we're building a room where that isn't true.
Free · Open to all women
Book your slot
Reserve a seat for 15 August. Name and phone number, and you're done.
Merit-based · Female applicants only
Apply for a scholarship
Tuition waivers for pilot and cabin crew training, revealed live at the Grand Finale.
Event Agenda
Six things you'll do on the day.
Flag Hoisting
We open Independence Day together on campus.
Captain's Keynote
A serving female airline captain, on how she got there.
Blueprint Masterclass
The pilot route and the cabin crew route, laid out plainly.
Simulator Contest
Fly the sim and compete for the smoothest landing.
Glam, Safety & RT Labs
Airline presentation, exit drills, and live ATC phraseology.
Scholarship Reveal
Freedom to Fly, announced live at the finale.
Two paths. Pick yours.
The masterclass and the scholarship both split into these two tracks.
The Pilot Path
DGCA written exams, Class 1 and Class 2 medicals, and how to actually choose a flight school.
- DGCA written exams
- Class 1 & 2 medicals
- Flight school selection
The Cabin Crew Path
Airline interviews, premium hospitality standards, and what life on the roster is really like.
- Airline interviews
- Premium hospitality
- Life on the roster
Revealed live at the Grand Finale
Freedom to Fly
Full and partial tuition waivers for women entering aviation, across two tracks and three award tiers. Open to female applicants only.
Pilot
Tuition waivers towards advanced flight training.
Cabin Crew
Tuition waivers towards cabin crew training.
Five stages
How you win one
Freedom to Fly is earned, not claimed. Applying puts you in the process below.
- 01
Start your application
Register for 15 August and tick the scholarship box. Takes a minute.
- 02
Pilot Aptitude Test
A timed 20-minute online test, taken right after you apply.
- 03
Documents & motivation
Marksheets and ID, plus a short essay or video on why you want to fly, if we ask for one.
- 04
Interview & counselling
Shortlisted candidates attend a personal interview and a counselling session with a parent or guardian.
- 05
Final selection
Merit-based, on aptitude, motivation, interview and eligibility. The committee's decision is final.
Who you'll meet
The team on the day
The instructors and mentors running the masterclass, the zones and the interviews.
Sumaiya Ali
Founder & CEO
Rida Maryam Ali
Managing Director
Hemanth Kumar R
Chief Ground Instructor · B737NG Type-Rated
Navaneeth Nagendra
Senior Ground Instructor
Rohan Hibare
Ground Instructor · CPL
Eligibility & terms
What applying to Freedom to Fly commits you to, in full.
Who can apply
- The scholarship is open exclusively to female applicants.
- Applicants must satisfy the minimum educational eligibility criteria required for pilot training.
How to apply
- Applicants must complete the official scholarship application and submit all required documents before the closing deadline.
- Applicants may be asked to submit a thematic essay or a video recording explaining their motivation to become a professional pilot.
- Shortlisted candidates must attend a personal interview round and a dedicated counselling session.
How it's decided
- Final selection is merit-based, evaluated on aptitude, motivation, interview performance and overall eligibility. The selection committee's decision is final.
What it covers
- Scholarship benefits are non-transferable, cannot be exchanged for cash, and apply only to the designated WindChasers DGCA Ground Classes or Cabin Crew training tracks.
- The scholarship cannot be combined with any other running discount, promotional offer or fee concession unless approved in writing by WindChasers management.
- Selected candidates must complete all admission formalities within the stipulated timeline, failing which the offer may be withdrawn.
What you commit to
- Applicants must demonstrate a realistic funding plan for pursuing CPL flight training after completing DGCA Ground Classes (education loan approval, family support, savings, sponsorship or other legitimate means).
- The applicant and at least one parent or legal guardian must attend a financial counselling session before final scholarship confirmation.
- Recipients must sign a declaration confirming their intention to pursue full CPL flight training within 12 months of completing DGCA Ground Classes, subject to funding and medical fitness.
What can void it
- Submission of false information or forged documents will result in immediate cancellation of the scholarship and possible disciplinary action.
- WindChasers may revoke the scholarship at any stage for student misconduct, indiscipline, prolonged absenteeism or violation of academy rules.
- The scholarship is intended for genuinely committed aspiring aviators. Candidates who discontinue the programme without a valid documented reason may be ineligible for future WindChasers scholarships.
- Meeting the medical fitness requirements prescribed by the DGCA remains the sole responsibility of the candidate.
- WindChasers reserves the right to amend, restructure or discontinue the scholarship scheme at any time without prior notice.
Version 2026-08-15-v1. WindChasers may amend or discontinue the scheme at any time.
Events at WindChasers
Open houses, simulator mornings and community days with our team.
Questions
Is it really free?
Yes. Wings of Freedom is free to attend - the simulator time, the masterclass and the workshops are all included. Just reserve a slot so we know how many to expect.
Why is this a women-only event?
Women are roughly 5% of India's commercial pilots. For one day we're building a room where that isn't true, so the questions get asked out loud and the answers come from women already doing the job.
Do I need any experience to fly the simulator?
None at all. An instructor sits with you and talks you through it. Most people in the Smooth Landing Contest have never touched a flight deck before.
Do I have to apply for the scholarship to attend?
No. The scholarship is a separate, optional application - you can come for the day, see the simulator and the campus, and decide about it later.
Who can apply for the Freedom to Fly scholarship?
Female applicants who meet the minimum educational eligibility for pilot or cabin crew training. There are two tracks - Pilot and Cabin Crew - and three award tiers in each.
When are the scholarship results announced?
The scholarship is revealed live at the Grand Finale on 15 August. Shortlisted applicants are then contacted for an interview and counselling session before final selection.
What should I bring?
Just yourself and a government ID for campus entry. If you're applying for the scholarship, having your latest marksheet handy is useful but not required on the day.